Jayantha, 42, is remaining in his homeland to take up a regional appointment with Sri Lanka Cricket.

Golden Point president Mark Van De Heuvel said Jayantha’s announcement had come as a complete surprise.

”We had negotiated and agreed with Sammy that he would be returning.”

He said while the club was disappointed that Jayantha would not be playing with Point next season, it understood he had to do what was best for his family.

Van De Heuvel said Jayantha had been an outstanding contributor to the club over the past two seasons, with the highlight undoubtedly being his prominent part in last season’s BCA firsts premiership – the club’s first at this level in a decade.

Jayantha had an outstanding 2015-16 with the bat.

He led the BCA averages with 730 runs at 66.36, with a highest score of 267. He made two centuries and three half centuries. 

Jayantha’s double century set a new club individual record and with Daniel White was part of a record firsts fifth wicket stand of 350.

Van De Heuvel said while the club had a strong player list and promising youngster emerging, it was leaving its options open to signing another marquee recruit from overseas or domestically.